We were so excited to receive a copy of Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti to review. The kids LOVE listening to music in the car and rocking out in the living room to fun new tunes. This family friendly CD had a few artists that we have heard of and love (Dan Zanes, They Might Be Giants) and some that we have never heard of but are certain to be new family favorites (like Jonathan Coultan- the Princess Who Saved herself). This disc has a ton of new music that has never been released that the artists recorded especially for the Many Hands CD. We also love that the after-tax profits from this CD will benefit the Haitian People’s Support Project and work to help the people of Haiti. The only thing better than an afternoon dance party…is one that supports a good cause.

The zany Boogers (relax, they’re a band!) were kind enough to send us their toe tapping Cd The Boogers – Let’s Go! The fun songs are certain to get the kids up and moving. The toddler testers were sold as soon as they learned that the band named themselves the Boogers. They loved all the songs. Kid favorites are Pop Goes the Weasel, Big Rock Candy Mountain, and What if a Zebra Had Spots. The parents were more impressed with the song about eating your veggies…go figure! This family friendly CD is perfect for car trips or background music or just sing-a-long fun.

Want to get your kid an MP3 player without investing a ton of money? Check out the Disney Mix Max High School Musical Personal Media Player. This media player has everything your child needs to play music, movies, TV shows, music videos and digital photos. They will be delighted with the 2.2″ Color Display and you will love that the battery is rechargeable.

We love featuring music that both kids and parents can enjoy. Jon Samson – Another Kids Album definitely fits the bill! Samson is a board certified music therapist and performer and provided us with his latest album for review. He knows how to have fun with kids and keep them entertained. We’re not the only ones who feel this way, either. Another Kids Album has been featured in Parenting Magazine and TimeOut NY Kids. It also recently received a National Parenting Publications Award. The album contains 12 songs. Some are soft and soothing, others are silly and upbeat – one thing is for sure, they are all catchy and you’ll be singing along in no time! Samson’s voice is clear and the lyrics are easy to understand. Our family favorites are Ddddance, Starting to Remember, The Alarm Clock is Mean, and Twinkle. This disc is definitely going in the rotation! Jon Samson fans should also check out his previous disc, Kids CoCreative Music Album.

Take some bluegrass music and add some country + pop + funk. You’ll end up with this great combination that is The Okee Dokee Brothers – Take It Outside. Best friends since childhood, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing’s mission is to remind children (and adults) of their intrinsic ability to discover, imagine, and create through music. The Okee Dokee Brothers shipped us their latest CD for review and it has quickly become a family favorite – the kids and adults both enjoy listening and singing along. The lyrics are clear, witty, and easy to understand. Our favorites are ‘Bluegrass for Breakfast’, ‘Tippy Toes’, and ‘The Extraterrestrials’. Start up the disc and everyone will be singing along in no time. The CD comes packaged with a colorful insert complete with the lyrics to all 13 songs. Also available to for digital download.

Looking to rock out with the kids but tired of listening to the same old tunes? Check out the latest release from Starfish – Enter Sandbox. Starfish is a New Jersey rock band of dads. Their newest CD delivers 12 great rock and other style tracks (reggae, pop, punk, etc.) They shipped us this disc for review and we love how much fun it is! Kids and parents can both relate to and enjoy listening to it – we sure did this past weekend! The lyrics are clear, fun, and about important things in kids’ lives such as tree houses, time outs, homework, and parents who always say “no”. Our favorite songs are “My Name is No”, “Elephant”, and “Little Willy”. Enter Sandbox also comes with a booklet of lyrics. This is definitely a collection of songs any family will enjoy listening to over and over again

If you’re looking for a different sort of lullaby CD and are a fan of Natalie Merchant, check out Natalie Merchant – Leave Your Sleep. This is a 2 disc set filled with her renditions of 19th and 20th century British and American poetry – well-known and obscure works, anonymous rhymes and children’s lullabies. It’s not your average children’s album but it definitely evokes feelings of childhood.

Rockabye Baby / Hushabye Baby was kind enough to send some CDs for us to review: Kanye West, Journey, and Taylor Swift. We were a little skeptical at first because when one thinks about lullabies, Kanye West hardly comes to mind – but these CDs were great! Rockabye Baby takes popular rock songs and transforms them into lullabies by substituting drums and guitars with soothing instruments. Hushabye Baby does the same with country music. What a fun way to listen to music with your child! We especially love that there are no words – just softer instrumental versions of your favorite songs. Don’t limit these tunes to nap time, they make perfect background music for quiet playtime or riding in the car. Of course we have our favorite tracks! On Journey, Open Arms and Don’t Stop Believin’ take the cake. Check out there site for fun onesies, samples of the music and gift packages too!